Golf Club Head Cover Device

ABSTRACT

A user-friendly golf club head cover system adapted for full operation while never leaving its spot in the golf bag. It allows access to the club via a simple downward physical movement of the incorporated tube. The club head cover portion remains open until the golf club is reinserted into the system. The club head cover has a partially connected top panel that is closed via a simple upward physical movement of the incorporated tube. An internal spring panel may assist the opening and closing of the top panel. A magnetic closure keeps the club head cover portion closed. The opening and closing may be facilitate by manual manipulation of the top panel alone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an extremely compact system for a golfclub's quick, unhampered removal from, and insertion into, it's clubhead cover. More particularly, to a user friendly golf club head coverdevice adapted for full operation while never leaving its spot in thegolf bag.

Americans have a love for the game of golf, and for this reason thesport is growing in popularity. As it does, there are more players onthe course and playing time becomes more critical. Many courses do notallow golfers to walk anymore and have mandated the use of golf carts.Simply stated, golfers are sensitive regarding their wait time to teeoff each hole. Additionally, golf clubs are expensive and somewhatsensitive to prolonged contact with the elements. As such, golfers cloakthe heads of their golf clubs with removable, protective covers.Installing and removing these covers is time consuming. Typical designsinvolve zippers, hook and loop fasteners, stretchable fabric and thelike. Once removed, these club head covers must be placed somewhereuntil it is reinstalled. Commonly, they end up on the ground, causingtheir aesthetic deterioration.

Henceforth, an inexpensive, quick, golf club head cover system whichcould remain in the golf bag and require a minimal amount of physicalmanipulation to open, and close would fulfill a long felt need in thegolfing industry. It would decrease the time needed at each tee toextract and replace the golf club. This new invention utilizes andcombines known and new technologies in a unique and novel configurationto overcome the aforementioned problems and accomplish this.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide an inexpensive, compactgolf club head cover device that does not have to leave the golf bag,and requires simple physical movements to both remove it and install iton the club head.

It has many of the advantages mentioned heretofore and many novelfeatures that result in a new golf club head cover device which is notanticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of theprior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.

In accordance with the invention, an object of the present invention isto provide an improved golf club head cover device that upon removal ofa club, readies its physical configuration for a quick reinsertion ofthe same club.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved golf clubhead cover device capable of auto closing itself about the golf clubhead after reinsertion of the club.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved golfclub head cover device that requires a minimal amount of physicalmanipulation to open.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide for animproved golf club head cover device that may be maintained at all timeson the golf bag.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not beregarded as limiting.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective front side view showing the general arrangementof all components of the golf club head cover device in its closedposition on a club that resides in the golf bag;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front side view showing a lowered golf club headcover device in its open position on a club that resides in the golfbag;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the golf club head cover device;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the golf club head cover device;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the golf club head cover device;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the golf club head cover device;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the golf club head cover device:

FIG. 8 is a perspective front view of a closed golf club head coverdevice;

FIG. 9 is a perspective front view of an open golf club head coverdevice;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the golf club cover device with an alternateembodiment linear member;

FIG. 11 is a back view of an alternate embodiment golf club cover devicewith the spring panel shown in phantom; and

FIG. 12 is a top view of an alternate embodiment golf club cover devicewith the spring panel shown in phantom;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification.However, both the organization and method of operation, together withfurther advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in connection withaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to likeelements.

The above description will enable any person skilled in the art to makeand use this invention. It also sets forth the best modes for carryingout this invention. There are numerous variations and modificationsthereof that will also remain readily apparent to others skilled in theart, now that the general principles of the present invention have beendisclosed.

FIG. 1 illustrates the golf club head cover device 2 in place over agolf club head that resides in the interior 6 of a golf bag 4. The golfbag 4 may have a single cavity interior design or may have a dividedinterior design. Golf bags 4 commonly have divided interiors thatfunction to keep the the shafts of the golf clubs, parallel andorganized within the golf bag 4. As can be seen, when installed on agolf club head, the device 2 sits high out of the bag 4 but not enoughto expose the bottom of linear member 10.

Looking at FIGS. 3-8 the parts of the golf club head cover device 2 canbest be seen. The golf club head cover device 2 consists of a flexiblefabric club head cover 8 permanently affixed at its bottom to theproximate end of a linear member 10 that extends partially into theinterior of the golf bag 4 (divided or otherwise.) This linear member 10must not extend to the bottom of the golf bag 4. In the preferredembodiment the linear member 10 is a cylindrical tube with an angulardistal end 12 (for ease of installation onto a divided cavity golf bag)although it is known that the linear member may be any of a plethora ofrigid members such as a rod, a U shaped channel, a partially U shapedchannel, reinforced fabric strip, etc. The inexpensive, commerciallyavailable, lightweight, polymer golf bag tube has been found quitesuitable for this application.

This club head cover 8 is basically a sleeve body sized for theenclosure of a golf club head (generally a wood or driver) therein. Thelinear member 10 has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of thegolf club shaft, yet smaller than the minor dimension of bag divider 13.FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the golf club head cover device2 wherein the linear member 10 has the configuration of a partially Ushaped channel—which can be accomplished by removing a portion of a golfclub tube. The slotted section 11 can be seen cut into the front side ofthe linear member 10. It is to be noted that in another embodiment, thatthe linear member (regardless of configuration) may also be covered withthe same fabric that the club head cover 8 is made of.

The club head cover 8 is comprised of several connected but partiallyseparable, flexible panels. Generally, in the preferred embodiment, thepanels are constructed of a fabric although thin skin polymers are alsowell adapted for this purpose. Although sewing/stitching is thepreferred method of permanent connection between the panels, othermethods of mechanical connection between the panels may also be utilizedif they also provide durability, strength and leak-tightness, includingbut not limited to heat sealing, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic anddielectric welding, and laser seaming.

The back top panel 14 is a unitary piece that extends from the interfacebetween the club head cover 8 and the linear member 10 and extends overthe entire upper surface or top of the remainder of the club head cover8. In its preferred embodiment, it is permanently joined to theapproximately bottom one-third of the upper perimeter of a curved leftside panel 16, and the approximate one-third of the upper perimeter of amirror image curved right side panel 18. (Although this may vary betweenthe bottom one sixth and bottom one half of the curved side panels 16and 18 as detailed herein.) Between the left side panel 16, and rightside panel 18 connecting these side panels, resides a central panel 20.This central panel 20 has no permanent connection to the back top panel14. A bottom panel 22 is connected to the lower perimeter of the leftside panel 16, the lower perimeter of the right side panel 18 and thelower perimeter of the central panel 20. The overall configuration ofthe club head cover 8 is that of a curved tapering, flexible sleevehaving a back top panel 14 that is partially separable from a curvedbody. The curved body is made of a series of conjoined panels or from asingle panel and resides in a generally horizontal position. The backtop panel 14 resides in a vertical position when open to form a throatbetween it and the curved body, and in a horizontal position whenclosed.

Although illustrated as having 5 panels, it is known that the criticaldesign feature of the club head cover 8 is that of the separate toppanel 14. The remainder of the club head cover 8 may be made of adifferent configuration of panels provided that they form a flexibleshell for a golf club head that narrows to surround the shaft/golf clubhead interface.

The bottom end of the bottom panel 22 the left side panel 16, the rightside panel 18 and the back top panel are connected so as to form acircular opening 24 at the bottom of the club head cover 8 through whichthe golf club shaft can pass. In the region adjacent the circularopening 24 the linear member 10 is affixed to the club head cover 8. Thelinear member 10, in the preferred embodiment, at least partiallyencases the golf club shaft when the golf club head cover device 2 isplaced over a golf club head that resides in the interior 6 of a golfbag 4. This may be done in a plethora of ways including stitching,bolting or other mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic anddielectric welding. Small gusset plates may alternatively be utilizedwith or without mechanical fasteners such as rivets, or blind nuts andbolts (to name a few), as is well known in the industry.

Since the back top panel 14 is only fixed about its bottom one third tothe side panels 16 and 18, the upper two third of the back top panel 14is free to be opened and flexed up and back away from its closedposition so that its approximate upper two thirds are not in contactwith the sides 16 and 18. The material used for construction of the backtop panel 14 is selected for its rigidity and memory. This panel, whilebeing held magnetically in a curved closed deformed configuration asillustrated in FIG. 1, has residual forces within that continually urgeit to return to its planar shape. Proper selection of the material andmaterial thickness is one way of accomplishing permanent, strong enoughresidual forces in the back top panel 14 so that when contact betweenthe upper and lower magnetic lips is broken, the back top panel 14 willmove to its vertical position. Alternatively, as can be seen in thealternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a spring panel 15 thatmaintains a constant force to urge the top back panel 14 into a verticalplanar configuration can be incorporated into the back top panel 14. Thespring panel 15 has a linear configuration. It has a top end thatresides adjacent to the leading edge of the back top panel 14 and abottom end that is affixed at the interface/junction of the cover withthe linear member. Such a device may be as simple as a rigid, thinplanar sheet of thin metal or plastic that has been affixed to the backtop panel 14 by sewing, gluing, welding, etc. Looking again at FIGS. 11and 12, the spring panel 15 can be seen in a ghost image, residingbeneath the back top panel 14. It extends from the top leading edge ofthe back top panel 14 down to the connection point between the linearmember 10 and the club head cover 8. Generally the spring panel 15 willbe connected between these two, with the attendant mechanical connectorspassing through the spring panel's thickness and holding the springpanel rigidly and vertically from this connection point.

There are two different types of linear spring panels. One merely biasesthe back top panel straight for when the golf club is out of the device2. It can be made out of a thin linear strip of metal wherein its widthand thickness is optimized to provide enough residual force to hold theback top panel 14 straight but yet not strong enough to overcome themagnetic or hook and loop holding force of the device's closuremechanism. The other spring panel 15 biases the back top panel in thecurved closed deformed configuration of FIG. 1 discussed herein, yetwhen straightened (as in FIG. 9 when the club is removed from the device2) retains the back top panel 14 in the upward “open” position.) Here,the spring panel 15 is a thin piece of metal having a deformable curlalong its longitudinal axis with a slight curve set therein across itswidth, so as to allow it to remain rigid in the fully extended positionyet when its leading edge is urged forward, will attempt to curl towardthe front of the device 2. This second type of spring panel 15 iscommonly used in coiling rulers. This second type of spring panel 15,eliminates the need for the device's magnetic or hook and loop closuremechanism. It is to be noted that the insertion of either of theselinear spring panels 15 may facilitate the use of a reinforcement strip17 across the leading edge of the front end of the back top panel 14.

It is to be noted that generally, for the optimal operation of theopening and closing of the back top panel 14, this panel must not havethe permanent affixation to the sides extending more than one half ofits height, and not less than one sixth of its height as measured withthe panel 14 in its open vertical position.

Looking at FIGS. 8 and 9, it can be seen that about the perimeter of theleft side panel 16, the right side panel 18 (in the area not permanentlyaffixed to the back top panel 14) and the central panel 20 (along itsupper edge), is a contiguous, lower flexible magnetic lip 26. Similarly,about the perimeter of the back top panel 14 (in the area notpermanently affixed to the left side panel 16 and the right side panel18) is an upper magnet lip 26. These magnetic lips 24 and 26 are shapedfor mating magnetic engagement. The attraction between these twomagnetic lips 24 and 26 is strong enough to keep the golf head clubcover closed, maintaining contact between the back top panel 14, theleft side panel 16, the right side panel 18 and the central panel 20despite the forces attempting to return the back top panel 14 to itsrelaxed, planar open configuration. In an alternate embodiment, thereneed be only a first portion of a magnetic closure on the back top panel12 and a second portion of a magnetic closure either on one or all ofthe side and central panels.

In the preferred embodiment, the linear member 10 is a hollow tube,generally made of a polymer and cut at an acute angle at its distil end12. A typical hollow, open ended, cylindrical golf club tube works well.The angle cut allows for the easy insertion of the device 2 into thedivided compartments 6 of a conventional golf bag 4. Its inner diameterexceeds the outer diameter of the shaft of a golf club including thegripping, so that the golf club shaft can be raised through the linearmember 10 while the linear member 10 remains in the golf bag.

In operation, the design of the preferred embodiment golf club headcover device 2 can best be explained in reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 8 and9. The golf cub head cover device 2 is inserted into a golf club bag 4.(See FIG. 1) The device 2 is held by the tube 10 while the back toppanel 14 is peeled up and back from the rest of the club head cover 8.The back top panel 14 is released wherein it's residual forces willmaintain it in a generally planar, vertical configuration. (See FIG. 9)The golf club is inserted, shaft first into the throat of the openingcreated between the back top panel 14 and the remainder of the club headcover 8. The back top panel 14 is then pulled downward until its uppermagnetic lip 26 contacts the lower magnetic lip 24 which is attached andresiding in a contiguous line along the central and side panels 16, 18and 20. Magnetic attraction holds the head cover enclosure 8. Thisprocedure is followed the first time the device 2 is used. Thereafterthe use is greatly simplified and proceeds as discussed below.

The user grabs the linear member 10 and gently pulls it downward. Thisaction causes the linear member 10 to move further down into the golfbag 4 and the golf club head 30 to contact the inner face of the backtop panel 12 pushing this panel upward so as to break the magneticattraction that holds the club head cover 8 closed. (See FIG. 2) Theback top panel 14 then moves to its vertical relaxed position as theclub head 30 reveals itself inches above the opened head cover enclosure8. While the player makes his shot the club head cover 8 remains open,awaiting insertion of the club. Upon reinsertion of the club headthrough the open throat of the head cover enclosure 8 the golfer merelygrabs the liner member 10 and pulls it upward until the club headcontacts the inner face of the bottom panel 22. This causes an axialjarring to the back top panel 14 such that it tips forward and reaches apoint of magnetic attraction between its upper magnetic lip 28 and thelower magnetic lip 24 that is strong enough to overcome the residualforces trying to maintain the back top panel 14 vertical, and closes thedevice.

The operation of the alternate embodiment golf club head cover devicesFIGS. 10 and 11 remain the same except that with the second type ofspring panel 15, the magnetic or hook and loop fastener closure systemmay not be incorporated as the deformable curl (when activated) willprovide a constant closing force for the back top panel 14.

In this manner, the club head cover 8 never leaves the bag, the golferdoes not have to fiddle with zippers, hook and loop fasteners, domefasteners, laces and the like to get his club in and out of it'sprotective cover. Additionally, the insertion of the golf club into thedevice 2 is aided by the maintenance of an open throat configurationestablished by the process of pulling down the linear member 10. (SeeFIG. 9) The only motions required by the golfer is the gentle downwardjerk of the linear member 10 into the bag 4 to open the club head cover8 and the reverse gentle upward jerk of the tube to close the club headcover 8.

Although the above method of closing the back top panel 14 discussesusing the abrupt upward motion of the linear member 10 to bring intomotion a series of events that closes the device, if the linear memberis gently raised until the club head lightly contacts the inner face ofthe bottom panel 22, the golfer may manually grab and tip the back toppanel 14 forward until it reaches the point of magnetic attraction withthe lower magnetic lip 24 to close the device.

In an alternate embodiment, the upper magnetic lip 28 and the lowermagnetic lip 24 may be replaced with connectable halves of a flexiblefabric, hook and loop fastener. With this embodiment, the operation toopen and close the device would remain unchanged although there wouldneed to be slightly greater forces applied through the linear member 10as this embodiment would not have any magnetic attraction closing assistand the holding force of the hook and loop fastener would exceed that ofthe magnetic lips.

It is to be noted that the simplicity of the design of this device 2allows a quick downward jerking motion on the linear member 10 touncover and reveal the golf club, and after reinsertion of the golf clubinto the device 2, a quick upward jerk on the linear member 10 to closethe device. However, it is known that the back top panel 14 may bemanually opened or closed by just grabbing and directing its leadingedge.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon whichthis disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for thedesigning of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out theseveral purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore,that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructionsinsofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

1. A golf club head cover device comprising: a golf club head cover forming a sleeve body, sized for the enclosure of a golf club head therein; and a rigid linear member having a proximate end and a distil end, said proximate end affixed to said golf club head cover and said distal end adapted for retention in a golf bag; and wherein said golf club cover comprised of at least two partially separable elements, a unitary piece constructed top panel and a curved body, said unitary piece top panel fabricated from a material that possesses a residual bias seeking to maintain said unitary piece top panel in a planar, vertical orientation; and wherein said golf club head cover device opens as said rigid linear member urges said top panel into a position wherein said residual bias will raise said top cover to reveal said golf club head while said linear member remains in a golf bag.
 2. A golf club head cover device comprising: a golf club head cover; a spring panel; and a rigid linear member for opening and closing of said golf club head cover; wherein said linear member has a proximate end and a distil end, said proximate end permanently affixed to said golf club head cover, and said distal end adapted for insertion and retention within a golf bag; and wherein said golf club head cover is a sleeve body, sized for the enclosure of a golf club head therein, said golf club cover comprised of at least two partially separable elements, a top panel and a curved body, said top panel having said spring panel disposed beneath an outer face of said top panel so as to reside entirely within said golf club head cover, said spring panel when urged upward, by a downward motion of said linear member, will straighten and maintain said top panel in a vertical open position and when a leading edge of said spring panel is urged forward, by an upward motion of said linear member, will curl said top panel toward the curved body for the maintenance of said top panel in a vertical closed orientation.
 3. The golf club head cover device of claim 2 further comprising: an upper, first portion of a closure; and a lower, second portion of a closure; wherein said first portion of said closure is affixed to said top panel and said lower, second portion of said closure is affixed to said curved body of said club head cover.
 4. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said closure is a magnetic closure.
 5. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said closure is a hook and loop fastener.
 6. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said linear member is a cylindrical tube.
 7. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said distil end of said golf club tube is cut at an acute angle.
 8. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said club head cover has an open position and a closed position, wherein said top panel resides in a vertical orientation when said club head cover is in said open position, and wherein said top panel resides in a horizontal orientation when in a closed position.
 9. The golf club head cover device of claim 3 wherein said curved body is comprised of a right side panel, a left side panel, a central panel and a bottom panel; wherein said central panel resides adjacent to said right side panel and adjacent said left side panel, and wherein said bottom panel resides adjacent to said right side panel, said left side panel, and said central panel.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The golf club head cover device of claim 4 wherein said first portion of said magnetic closure is a magnetic lip affixed about an open periphery of said top panel and said second portion of said magnetic closure is a magnetic lip affixed about an open periphery of said curved body.
 12. The golf club head cover device of claim 5 wherein said first portion of said hook and loop closure is a connectable lip affixed about an open periphery of said top panel and said second portion of said hook and loop closure is a matingly engageable lip with said connectable lip and is affixed about an open periphery of said curved body.
 13. The golf club head cover device of claim 2 further comprising: a mechanical fastener; wherein said mechanical fastener affixes said golf club head cover to said linear member.
 14. The golf club head cover device of claim 13 wherein said spring panel has a top end and a bottom end, said top end residing adjacent a leading edge of said first portion of said closure and said bottom end affixed by said mechanical fastener to said linear member.
 15. The golf club head cover device of claim 1 wherein said linear member is the operational handle that initiates the opening and closing said golf head club cover device.
 16. The golf head club cover device of claim 15 wherein a downward motion of said linear member while said distal end remains in said golf bag, opens said golf head club cover, and wherein an upward motion of said linear member while said distal end remains in said golf bag, assists in closing said golf head club cover.
 17. A golf club head cover device comprising: a golf club head cover forming a sleeve body, sized for housing a golf club head therein made of at least two partially separable elements, a top panel and a curved body; a two part magnetic closure having a first portion affixed about an open periphery of said top panel and having a second portion of said magnetic closure affixed about an open periphery of said curved body, and; a rigid operational handle having a proximate end and a distil end, said proximate end affixed to said golf club head cover and said distal end adapted for operational retention in a golf bag; and wherein said rigid operational handle is a rigid linear member that when urged in a downward direction abuts a golf club head within said golf club head cover, with the top panel of said golf club head cover so as to break any contact between the two parts of the magnetic closure thereby opening the golf club head cover, and wherein when the rigid linear member is urged in an upward direction so as to initiate the downward travel of said top panel until it contacts the curved body allowing the two parts of the magnetic closure to unite and close said golf club head cover while said golf club head cover remains in a golf bag. 